Hello everyone,

A study published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship posed the question, “Is an Engaging or Soothing Environment Associated With the Psychological Well-Being of People with Dementia in Long-Term Care?” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27802364)

Well…what do you think the researchers learned? They found that an engaging environment was associated with more positive emotional expressions, and that a soothing environment was associated with neither positive nor negative emotional expressions.

In terms of resident-focused care, this is important to consider as we plan care and activities for those residents with dementia. While a soothing environment may be beneficial during times of agitation, the default should be an engaging environment, which can result in more positive emotions overall.

Have a great week!